THE WOODEN STATUE
"Today, I will show you guys around," Marco let out as soon as they walked out of the hall. Master Rowan stayed inside the hall as he had to meet other masters as well. Inhaling a deep breath, Megara quickly shook her head in denial while twisting her arms.
"I'm tired, let's rest for a while and you can show us around later at night," Megara said and everyone agreed. Sitting for so long had their butts numb. "Fine, let me show you guys your rooms," Marco said and excitedly led everyone to their respective rooms. He was pretty energetic even after being on a voyage for so long, maybe because he was home.
Being at home is another kind of satisfaction that Megara never truly had because home is with family. Marco led everyone to their respective rooms.
At nightfall, all three of them were led by Marco to explore the sect. He showed them the sect classes, and training grounds and then later guided them through the market, taking them to one of the best restaurants in the denomination.
They sat down on the table outside the restaurant, under the sky twinkling with stars. Marco ordered a variety of dishes since he was treating them. Once he was done ordering he turned towards the other three.
"Did you guys like the Sect so far?" He asked and all three of them nodded. "It's pretty much like our Sect, so nothing seems odd," Evenor said and Marco sighed, putting his chin on his palm while his elbow was on the table.
"Right? It is not much different yet he has to throw me out of here." He said and Megara shook her head at him. "It's been so long yet you don't stop grumbling. Let me guess, is it because the Cross Sect Squad has more beauties than our sect?" She asked and Marco's face lightened up. He quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's what it is." He said and Agnes rolled her eyes at him in disgust.
"Your father was pretty aware of you so he kicked you out." Agnes said and Marco passed her 'I don't give a fuck' smile. "No matter what maiden you fell for, in the end, it all depends on fate. your soulmate will hate this behavior of yours." Evenor let out. Marco clicked his tongue and said.
"Such a saint. Anyways, it's obvious as soon as I find my soul mate, nothing like this will occur."
"But this will become a habit," Megara said and Marco abruptly leaned back on his chair, crossing his legs together as well as crossing his arms on his chest. "It's not like, I'm going around sleeping with the populace." He said and everyone zipped their mouths up. They knew Marco might act like a deviant but he wasn't into such sinful stuff.
"Anyways, did you guys notice something? The way Lord Linya treats his son." Agnes said and all three heads turned toward her before turning toward Marco for an answer.
"I noticed that too. Is that boy smaller than us?" Evenor asked and Marco nodded. "By a year," Marco said and sat up straight, this time putting both of his elbows on the table.
"I'm not quite sure about this but I've heard that he doesn't want to be in the martial arts world...in other words, he doesn't want the throne. Kids his age are going crazy while practicing their martial arts but he is different. Even after having such a strong bloodline, he has no desire for the throne." Marco said and everyone frowned.
"Then why don't they make another baby?" Agnes asked and Marco shrugged. "I don't know."
"If he doesn't want the throne then what does he want?" Blossom inquired. Marco rubbed his chin before shaking his head. "I'm not aware. No one is." He said and Megara leaned back on the chair. A slight frown plastered on her features.
"That boy looked gentle and shy. Whatever he wants must be nothing bad. Why hide it? Why force him to attain the throne?" Megara asked while biting her lower lip. Marco sighed and nodded.
"He is a good boy. I've never seen him with anyone. He is most of the time alone and likes to stay isolated." Marco said and Megara's frown deepened. "Are you sure he likes to stay isolated?" Megara asked and suddenly all four of them fell into silence.
"Uhh... let's not ponder much on it. We have nothing to do with that kid or his throne. Gosh! When will the food come?" Agnes asked while rubbing her tummy.
***********
In the morning everyone gathered inside the assigned training ground for them. Every denomination's disciples were mingled together among each other, standing in lines with a straight stance.
Megara and Agnes stood between Marco and Evenor, everyone standing at one arm's distance. At this time there were no feelings between Megara and Evenor, they were just very good friends and somehow always had the same thinking. Some disciples silently stood in line while some won't stop talking. The same was the case with Marco and the girl standing in front of him who belonged to the Cross Sect Squad, they were continuously talking.
Blossom yawned and looked around at all the new faces her sight could catch.
The journey was about to be thrilling and filled with excitement but it will be tiring as well because here there is no rest.
With a sleepy expression on her face, her eyes wandered to the first rows, and all her sleepiness vanished away for some reason when she saw a familiar back.
It was Evandros Linya.
Such a heavy name for such a timid lad.
She stared at his back.
When everyone was busy talking around him, he silently stood in his place with his hands in front of him and his head slightly low. His long black hair was neatly tied up in a ponytail but some rogue strands fluttered with each gust of breeze. She silently watched him before diverting her gaze away, completely forgetting about his existence in the next few seconds as all the masters arrived.
And just like that, the day went by.
Each tomorrow was harder than yesterday, the first week was truly devastating and a few sects were kindly asked to go back because of the poor performance of their disciples.
The second week was a little better as the disciples slightly got used to the torture. The four students of Rowan found themselves struggling each day but by the end of the day, they will have dinner with their master and wake up the next day with a lot more motivation. In short, their master was the only thing that kept them going otherwise they would have been sent back as well. Not only bringing shame to their legendary sect but also to their legendary master. There were so many better disciples in their sect but Rowan was fast enough to stand first and depart with his faulty disciples.
Of course, Uncle Zale liked Rowan a lot, and not only that he wanted Megara to make her name in the martial arts world and it's alright if she doesn't, by the end of the year she will at least know how to wield her sword, and how to use her chain technique. The more faulty they are, the more they thrive, and the more they get better. They might not win but at least they would have something under their sleeves after getting knowledge from different masters around the world.
"Ahh, I'm tired."
Megara exclaimed as she sat down under the tree and leaned her back against it. It was afternoon and the sun was high, heating everyone to a chicken roast. They had an hour's break so both Megara and Agnes came to rest under the shadow of the tree which was their usual spot. The other two boys were busy with their group which they made not long ago. Megara and Agnes didn't approach anyone and no one approached them either. They believed it was a long way ahead, they will make friends gradually.
"I will get us some water," Agnes said and strolled away. Megara watched her back before looking around. Disciples were scattered everywhere but a lot far from her spot. This spot was at the back of the training ground, so not many people knew about this comfortable place.
She took out her napkin and wiped her sweat away. While she was doing this...she heard some noises coming from behind the bushes. She ignored it thinking it might be an animal but that wasn't the case. It was like someone was hitting something or someone as she can hear some grunting as well.
She licked her lips and stood up from her spot slowly making her way toward the bushes, her footsteps made no sound. As soon as she walked inside the bushes she quickly hid behind the tree before slowly tugging her head out and peeking at the scene before her.
She saw Evandros training. He was sharpening his martial arts skills against the wooden statue which was poorly carved. It looks like he carved it himself. Against this kind of wooden statue, it will hurt a hundred times more.
What is this?
This boy didn't like martial arts, right?
Why must he practice so desperately?
She did see him in the training ground not long ago and this is the resting hour. He is tiring himself and his martial arts skills look awful. Megara didn't know how to wield her weapons but she was truly good at martial arts.
Seeing him only hurting himself, turned her mood off.
Her eyes slightly enlarged when a moan escaped his lip. His hand was bleeding due to the sharp edge of the statue, and before she could step forward and help him. He quickly bent down on one of his knees and took out a small box from the side of his long boots. He cleaned his blood and opened the box before dipping two of his fingers inside the box and applying the ointment-like thing to his wound. That ointment was black. Once he was done applying it, he wrapped his napkin around the wound and stood up again.
He was about to practice again when both of them heard a familiar feminine voice calling Evandros. Megara saw how his expression lightened up and he strolled away saying, Mother.
So she was his mother.
She stood there for a good while making sure he wouldn't come back before coming out of her spot and making her way toward the wooden statue. She caressed its body and was completely certain that he made this himself.
The next day, Evandros found his wooden statue smoothly carved with no sharp edges. How did this happen? No one knows about this place. He pondered on the situation for a while before smiling and caressing the statue. Whoever it was, at least his hand won't hurt this time.